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Fri, 10 Jul 2015 19:52:42 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.5.10Why the NBA Playoff System Needs to be Fixedhttp://www.hoopsscoop.com/nba-playoff-system-needs-serious-reconstruction/
http://www.hoopsscoop.com/nba-playoff-system-needs-serious-reconstruction/#respondWed, 29 Apr 2015 04:00:47 +0000http://www.hoopsscoop.com/?p=1922It’s no secret that the NBA playoff system has been a complete mess, allowing lousy Eastern Conference teams into the playoffs and quality Western Conference teams out of contention. Take this season. The Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated from the playoffs after falling one game short to the New Orleans Pelicans. Theoretically, if the Thunder were in the Eastern […]

]]>It’s no secret that the NBA playoff system has been a complete mess, allowing lousy Eastern Conference teams into the playoffs and quality Western Conference teams out of contention.

Take this season. The Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated from the playoffs after falling one game short to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Theoretically, if the Thunder were in the Eastern Conference, they would have been ahead of the Bucks, Celtics and Nets for 6th place in the East.

What’s worse is that last year wasn’t any better.

Like the Thunder, the Phoenix Suns theoretically would have placed 3rd or 4th in the East, having an equal record to the Bulls and Raptors, and a better record than the Wizards, Nets, Hornets and Hawks (all playoff teams).

In fact, for the past 19 seasons, the top 16 teams with the best records have only reached the playoffs five times.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver met with the board of governors last year to discuss fixing the current playoff system, but unfortunately no progress was made.

“What’s come up is whether we should be reseeding the playoff teams, whether we should have a different process for selecting those teams that do make the playoffs,” Silver said. “The sense of the room was that certainly no one was advocating a particular change at this time. It was more of a suggestion.”

One of the proposed ideas was to pick the 16 best teams to compete in the playoffs, instead of allowing the 8 best teams in each conference to advance.

The problem is, this new format would eliminate the need to even have two conferences, stopping annual events like the NBA All-Star game.

It’s also important to note that this would cause the current division system to become null and void, which awards division winners a top 4 seed, even if their records weren’t as good as other playoff teams.

An example of how broken the division system is came into question this season when the Portland Trailblazers finished fourth in the West, despite the Grizzlies and Spurs having better records this season.

Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers told ESPN Los Angeles that it’s clear the current playoff system is flawed, especially when it comes to the current division format.

“I think the divisions are important,” Rivers said. “They’re nice to be celebrated, for some and some not, but I don’t know if they should be celebrated as far as in the standings. I think it’s something that the league will absolutely look at and try to fix. You shouldn’t be rewarded if your record isn’t as good as others.”

So far there’s yet to be a solution that would balance out the playoffs and create fairness all across the league.

Commissioner Adam Silver stated there’s a possibility for change, but for now he intends on keeping the current playoff system intact.

“The league is doing so well right now, I just want to be very deliberate and cautious about any major changes like that,” Silver said. “It doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t make changes, and of course like any organization we should and we will. … It’s just the beginning of the process right now.”

]]>Malik Newman is considered the No. 1 shooting guard in the nation, ranking third out of all prospects in the class of 2015. Checkout Newman’s player profile below, as we break down his biggest strengths and weaknesses.

Birthday: 02/21/97

Position: SG/PG

Height: 6’3″

Wingspan: 6’5″

Weight: 180

Hometown: Jackson, Mississippi

School: Callaway High School

Draft Class: 2016

Stats: 29.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.9 SPG, 51.0 FG%

Strengths

Bonafide scorer that can shoot from all areas of the floor. Nearly unstoppable from mid range and also has developed into an exceptional three point threat. Very quick with the ball in his hands, using his speed to sweep past defenders and finish in the lanes at will. Not a superb athlete, but makes up for it by utilizing his strength to power his way inside. Very clever offensively, often changing his shot in mid-air and utilizing numerous hesitation moves to continually find ways to score.

Weaknesses

Kind of a tweener, lacking the passing ability to be a true point guard or the height to regularly play shooting guard. His speed and aggression can also get out of control, as he’ll force shots and not allow the offense to run fluidly. He’s got decent athleticism, but may struggle to attack the rim in college once he faces lengthier defenders.

]]>http://www.hoopsscoop.com/2015-class-malik-newman-player-profile/feed/0Class of 2015: Stephen Zimmerman – Player Profilehttp://www.hoopsscoop.com/class-2015-stephen-zimmerman-player-profile/
http://www.hoopsscoop.com/class-2015-stephen-zimmerman-player-profile/#respondFri, 18 Jul 2014 21:21:22 +0000http://www.hoopsscoop.com/?p=1893Five-Star center Stephen Zimmerman is currently the No. 6 player in the class of 2015 according to ESPN, leading his high school to three straight division 1 championships and receiving one of 12 invitations to USA Basketball’s U18 team. So far he’s fielded offers from numerous top-tier schools including the University of Kentucky, UCLA, Kansas, Arizona, UNLV, Indiana and UNC. […]

]]>Five-Star center Stephen Zimmerman is currently the No. 6 player in the class of 2015 according to ESPN, leading his high school to three straight division 1 championships and receiving one of 12 invitations to USA Basketball’s U18 team. So far he’s fielded offers from numerous top-tier schools including the University of Kentucky, UCLA, Kansas, Arizona, UNLV, Indiana and UNC.

Birthday: 09/09/96

Position: C/PF

Height: 7’3″

Wingspan: 7’0″

Weight: 240

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

School: Bishop Gorman High School

Draft Class: 2016

Statistics: 14.8 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 2.9 BPG

Strengths

Extremely long and mobile center. Uses his athleticism to dominate in the interior and a crafty set of offensive moves to generate buckets in a hurry. Although his mechanics still need some refining, Zimmerman has shown he can shoot the ball proficiently from both mid to long range, indicating he can be an excellent stretch 4 or 5. He’s also a surprisingly skilled ball handler for a player of his size, which allows him to create offense for himself and his teammates without needing to be constantly parked in the paint.

Weaknesses

Not a great intimidator in the paint, often settling to sit outside of the restricted area instead of being the necessary defensive anchor his team needs. Although he’s getting closer to an NBA weight, it’s imperative he adds more muscle to his lanky frame so that he doesn’t get bullied by other big men once in college.

]]>http://www.hoopsscoop.com/class-2015-stephen-zimmerman-player-profile/feed/0Will Kevin Durant Stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder?http://www.hoopsscoop.com/will-kevin-durant-stay-oklahoma-city-thunder/
http://www.hoopsscoop.com/will-kevin-durant-stay-oklahoma-city-thunder/#respondThu, 17 Jul 2014 02:21:19 +0000http://www.hoopsscoop.com/?p=1857Over the years we’ve seen plenty of hometown heroes pack their bags and head to more promising pastures. It’s a trend that’s become increasingly popular in this modern age of basketball, as superstars have a desire to protect their legacy by any means necessary, even if that includes leaving behind their biggest fans. From Dwight Howard, […]

]]>Over the years we’ve seen plenty of hometown heroes pack their bags and head to more promising pastures. It’s a trend that’s become increasingly popular in this modern age of basketball, as superstars have a desire to protect their legacy by any means necessary, even if that includes leaving behind their biggest fans.

From Dwight Howard, to Carmelo Anthony, to James Harden and even Chris Paul, the list goes on and on. But it’s not always the player’s fault.

Often these superstars aren’t being compensated for their actual worth, while others are tired of continually losing and begging management to surround them with adequate talent.

Although it’s still 2 years away, Kevin Durant is one of those superstars that may consider other possible destinations once his contract expires, if he feels it’s in his best interest.

So far the Thunder have enjoyed vast success in the Western Conference, clinching 5 straight playoff berths, 3 Conference Finals appearances and one NBA Finals appearance as well, prompting many to believe there’s no reason for Kevin Durant to consider anywhere else.

But when you start to evaluate the type of roster Durant has been surrounded with over the last few seasons, it makes you wonder if Thunder management has done everything they could to satisfy their superstar.

Don’t get me wrong, the crop of talent the team possesses is full of studs like Serge Ibaka, Jeremy Lamb, Reggie Jackson, Steven Adams and of course Russell Westbrook.

However they’ve often chosen to develop young talent within their own system instead of acquiring proven players, a method that can be both cost effective but also detrimental to their potential championship odds.

Take this offseason. One of the biggest needs for the Thunder heading into this year is a go-to post player to pair next to Serge Ibaka, as the team ranked a ghastly 22nd in their percentage of points in the paint last season.

Instead of acquiring an offensive minded veteran center to alleviate this issue, they opted to put their chips into the development of Steven Adams, a guy that has potential, but really isn’t considered a strong offensive option inside.

And even though they did try to go after Pau Gasol, in order to do so, it was essential they free up cap space by amnestying Kendrick Perkins – a move that they didn’t feel comfortable doing.

To know whether or not Kevin Durant will stay in Oklahoma City is a mystery to all of us. So far Thunder management has shown they’re more than capable of developing young talent into studs.

But if the potential of guys like Jeremy Lamb, Reggie Jackson and Steven Adams are never reached, we could be looking at a team that may not have enough firepower to grab an NBA Title if they’re unwilling to make a serious move in the next 2 seasons.

This could play a huge role in Durant’s decision in 2016. Does he want to wait a few more years for a young prospect to develop into exactly what they need in order to win an NBA Title?

Or rather go somewhere else that already has the necessary talent in place?

Personally I feel there’s no better option for Durant than to stay exactly where he is, but he may feel his legacy is best preserved elsewhere, if the Thunder are still unable to land him the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Already we’ve heard rumors from ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith stating that Durant would consider playing for the Washington Wizards, and there’s bound to be plenty of other potential suitors by the time 2016 rolls around.

In order to secure their superstar, it’s essential the Thunder prove to him they’re more than capable of landing him a title in the next few years. If not, it could prove to be the biggest mistake the franchise has ever made.

Agree or disagree? Hit me up on Twitter @fieldhoops and lets talk hoops!

]]>http://www.hoopsscoop.com/will-kevin-durant-stay-oklahoma-city-thunder/feed/0Can Trey Burke and Dante Exum Coexist in the Jazz Backcourt?http://www.hoopsscoop.com/trey-burke-dante-exum-backcourt/
http://www.hoopsscoop.com/trey-burke-dante-exum-backcourt/#respondWed, 16 Jul 2014 02:44:20 +0000http://www.hoopsscoop.com/?p=1848It was only a year ago the Suns were considered the laughing stock of the league, placed dead last in numerous preseason power rankings and often referred to as true tankers by nearly everyone (excluding some die-hard Suns fans). Little did the basketball world know what laid ahead for the franchise, as the team ended up finishing […]

]]>It was only a year ago the Suns were considered the laughing stock of the league, placed dead last in numerous preseason power rankings and often referred to as true tankers by nearly everyone (excluding some die-hard Suns fans).

Little did the basketball world know what laid ahead for the franchise, as the team ended up finishing just one game shy of the 8th seed in the Western Conference, proving to be one of the biggest surprises of the season.

Much of that success can be attributed to their exceptionally dynamic backcourt of Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic.

Although the two only played together for nearly half the season, the difference they made for Phoenix changed the landscape of their record completely.

With Bledsoe and Dragic in the starting lineup, the Suns were an impressive 23-11.

Without, 25-23.

One team that shares a similar feel of skepticism heading into this season much like the Suns did last year has to be the Utah Jazz (No I’m not saying they’re making the playoffs next season).

Like Phoenix, they possess a young roster that’s mainly unproven. What’s even more alike though is that they also have an extremely versatile backcourt comprised of two point guards in Trey Burke and Dante Exum.

This duo could become the new face of the franchise if they can find similar success like Bledsoe and Dragic did. But in order to do so, many areas of their game must coexist if they’re to eventually lead the city back to at least some form of mediocrity in the next few years.

Passing

One reason the Jazz may have found it beneficial to place two point guards in their backcourt is due to Trey Burke’s pedestrian assist numbers, averaging only 5.7 per game.

Even though Dante Exum isn’t considered a true pass-first point guard, inserting him into the lineup may help their offensive efficiency, as the team ranked a dismal 26th in assists per game last season.

If the two can mesh together and learn how to distribute the ball in an even flow, their team’s scoring production will surely increase and result in even more open opportunities for teammates.

When Exum was asked about how the two will be able to work together offensively, he had this to say:

“We work as a team… If [Burke] needs a break at the point guard, I’ll take it. If I need a break at point guard, he’ll take it. We work together and nobody’s trying to steal anything from anyone. Coach Snyder’s definitely going to put in a system where we can succeed. I know that if we stick to what coach says, it can be a good thing.”

Scoring

The biggest area of concern for this backcourt has to be how they’ll coexist in the scoring department.

Last season Trey Burke really struggled to find consistency on the offensive end, shooting a dismal 38.0 percent from the floor and 33.0 percent from behind the arc.

Like Burke, Exum also has a hard time knocking down buckets from three point range, with his perimeter shot being considered one of the biggest weaknesses of his game and currently even far worse than Burke’s.

In order for these two to remain effective offensively, it’s essential Burke becomes more adept from three point range so opposing defenses begin to open up the lanes and allow Exum to thrive at what he does best – slashing inside.

Defense

Although Dante Exum’s humongous wingspan and elite lateral quickness makes him appear like he’s a top-tier defender, so far he’s shown he has much work to do on that end of the floor, as opponents in summer league have been able to score on him with ease.

Unfortunately Trey Burke struggles with this issue as well, as he posted one of the worst defensive ratings out of all guards in the NBA last season.

If Burke and Exum are to thrive together, it’s essential they both work on their defensive prowess so they’ll be able to contain opposing backcourts on a consistent basis.

If not, Salt Lake City could be in for a long and miserable ride until these two find ways to improve on the defensive end of the floor.

]]>http://www.hoopsscoop.com/trey-burke-dante-exum-backcourt/feed/0Former LMU Star Anthony Ireland is Battling to Make the NBAhttp://www.hoopsscoop.com/anthony-ireland-battling-make-nba/
http://www.hoopsscoop.com/anthony-ireland-battling-make-nba/#respondTue, 15 Jul 2014 02:28:10 +0000http://www.hoopsscoop.com/?p=1834After going undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft, Anthony Ireland is now competing for a roster spot on the Los Angeles Lakers summer league team, with hopes of accomplishing his lifelong dream – making it into the NBA. “I just want to show that I’m capable of guarding full court and that I can make other players around […]

]]>After going undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft, Anthony Ireland is now competing for a roster spot on the Los Angeles Lakers summer league team, with hopes of accomplishing his lifelong dream – making it into the NBA.

“I just want to show that I’m capable of guarding full court and that I can make other players around me better.” Ireland told HoopsScoop after finishing a team practice on Monday morning.

“When I come in the game I’m trying to make an impact immediately. I just want to change the tempo and get guys open shots and just play my role. I feel like I’ve done a really good job of showing that so far.”

The senior point guard from Loyola Marymount University is coming off another impressive season, holding averages of 18.6 points, 5.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game which were all team highs. He also earned First-Team WCC All-Conference honors this year as well as the WCC Player of the Week Award twice.

Even though the Lakers currently have three point guards on the roster including rookie Jordan Clarkson who plays both guard positions, bringing in a guy like Ireland to fill out the depth chart would be beneficial for the team, given Steve Nash’s injury issues over the last few years.

Although undersized at 5-10, Ireland has proven to be a lights out scorer during his four year tenure with LMU, leading the team in points per game for the last 3 seasons while shooting a respectable 34.5 percent from behind the arc.

“I’m an aggressive point guard that can come in and provide a spark off of the bench… I just want to play my role and continue to increase my level of play every time I step on the court.”

Hit me up on Twitter @fieldhoops and lets talk NBA, College Basketball or anything basketball related!

]]>http://www.hoopsscoop.com/anthony-ireland-battling-make-nba/feed/0Class of 2015: Ben Simmons – Player Profilehttp://www.hoopsscoop.com/class-2015-ben-simmons-player-profile/
http://www.hoopsscoop.com/class-2015-ben-simmons-player-profile/#respondSun, 13 Jul 2014 03:46:41 +0000http://www.hoopsscoop.com/?p=1820LSU commit Ben Simmons is currently the No. 2 player in the class of 2015 according to ESPN, leading Montverde Academy to their second consecutive national championship this year and also earning the most valuable player award at the NBPA Top 100 Camp in Virginia. Checkout his full player profile as we cover his biggest […]

]]>LSU commit Ben Simmons is currently the No. 2 player in the class of 2015 according to ESPN, leading Montverde Academy to their second consecutive national championship this year and also earning the most valuable player award at the NBPA Top 100 Camp in Virginia. Checkout his full player profile as we cover his biggest strengths and weaknesses.

Birthday: 07/01/96

Position: SF/PF

Height: 6’8″

Wingspan: 7’0″

Weight: 225

Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

School: Montverde Academy, FL

Draft Class: 2016

Statistics: 18.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 2.7 APG

Strengths

Uber athletic and quick combo forward that can score in a variety of ways, whether it’s attacking opponents in the paint or knocking down jumpers from mid to long range. He’s lethal in the open floor, constantly catching lobs and using his athleticism to finish over opponents fearlessly. Simmons already has a great frame, possessing a solid upper body and weighing 225 lbs, which indicates he’ll have no trouble playing either forward position once he competes at the collegiate level. One of the best facets of his game is that he’s considered a true leader, always playing with a high intensity and showing loads of maturity for a player of his age.

Weaknesses

Kind of a tweener, as he mainly plays the power forward position but lacks the necessary low post game to excel in the NBA. His average ball handling skills may make it difficult for him to play the small forward position as well, so it’s essential he figures out which forward spot best suites his game. Even though he’s capable of scoring points in bunches, he sometimes plays too passive, which raises concerns if he can handle the role as a go-to guy on offense.

]]>http://www.hoopsscoop.com/class-2015-ben-simmons-player-profile/feed/0Predicting the Biggest Sleepers from the 2014 NBA Drafthttp://www.hoopsscoop.com/biggest-sleepers-2014-nba-draft/
http://www.hoopsscoop.com/biggest-sleepers-2014-nba-draft/#respondFri, 11 Jul 2014 23:51:16 +0000http://www.hoopsscoop.com/?p=1810Every single draft class has a crop of prospects that numerous teams wish they could have selected. Take last year’s draft. Although surefire talent was scarce across the board, players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Mason Plumlee and Tim Hardaway Jr. all fared better in their rookie campaign when compared to some of the top selections. And […]

]]>Every single draft class has a crop of prospects that numerous teams wish they could have selected.

Take last year’s draft.

Although surefire talent was scarce across the board, players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Mason Plumlee and Tim Hardaway Jr. all fared better in their rookie campaign when compared to some of the top selections.

And now the teams that failed to recognize those players potential are paying the ultimate price, watching their counterparts bask in the glory of a successful selection while they’re still stuck at square one.

But this year’s draft is completely different.

With a deep pool of talented prospects that extends well into the second round, the chances of finding sleepers is surely more promising when compared to last.

So which teams may have landed those hidden gems and got the most value for their late round selections? Read on to find out.

Memphis Grizzlies: Jordan Adams, SG

One of the most pressing issues with the Grizzlies last season had to be their lackluster offensive production, as the team ranked 27th in points per game.

This is exactly why they took Jordan Adams with the 22nd pick.

The former UCLA guard is just a full blown scorer that can generate buckets in a variety of ways, whether it’s driving to the basket fearlessly or stepping out beyond the perimeter and knocking down deep shots.

Even though Memphis’s roster currently has two other shooting guards in the backcourt, Adams has a chance to step in and become one of the team’s go-to options right away given their need for more scoring production.

Philadelphia 76ers: K.J. McDaniels, SF/SG

With the 76ers slated for another tank-filled year, opportunities will be plentiful at nearly every position since there’s no risk attached to experimenting in a losing season.

One player that could benefit from this opportunity is former Clemson star K.J. McDaniels.

The reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year may not possess superb offensive tools, but his explosive athleticism and versatility on the defensive end of the floor makes him extremely valuable for the team, as he has the ability to play either the SF or SG position.

Don’t expect McDaniels to put up All-Star like numbers in his rookie campaign, but he should still post surprisingly productive stats and make teams wonder why he was passed up in the first round.

Houston Rockets: Nick Johnson, PG/SG

Johnson suffered from the classic tweener label in the draft, as he’s too small to play the shooting guard position but not true enough of a floor general to continually play point guard.

And while he may not blossom into a full fledged starter for the Rockets, he does have a huge opportunity with the team, which ironically needs more scoring production off of the bench.

Johnson has already made his mark in the Orlando Summer League averaging nearly 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game.

With Jeremy Lin officially heading to the Lakers, look for him to fill in as a sixth man for Houston and provide a huge scoring spark off of the bench similar to a Jason Terry like role.

]]>http://www.hoopsscoop.com/biggest-sleepers-2014-nba-draft/feed/0Elfrid Payton is a Darkhorse Candidate to Win Rookie of the Yearhttp://www.hoopsscoop.com/elfrid-payton-darkhorse-candidate-win-rookie-year/
http://www.hoopsscoop.com/elfrid-payton-darkhorse-candidate-win-rookie-year/#respondThu, 10 Jul 2014 01:00:09 +0000http://www.hoopsscoop.com/?p=1802With the offseason in full swing, there’s already been plenty of transactions made by the Orlando Magic that have caused fans to wonder what direction the franchise is truly headed. At first it appeared they were destined for a complete youth movement, trading their leading scorer Arron Afflalo followed by the waiving of 10-year veteran Jameer Nelson. That […]

]]>With the offseason in full swing, there’s already been plenty of transactions made by the Orlando Magic that have caused fans to wonder what direction the franchise is truly headed.

At first it appeared they were destined for a complete youth movement, trading their leading scorer Arron Afflalo followed by the waiving of 10-year veteran Jameer Nelson.

That is… until they decided to make a few surprising signings in free agency weeks later, hauling in both Channing Frye and Ben Gordon to hefty deals, causing a mixture of both praise and criticism alike.

One move that has found more acceptance than any other decision so far has to be the trade on draft night for floor general Elfrid Payton.

The 6’4″ point guard wasn’t a household name during his collegiate days at Louisiana-Lafayette, however his unique blend of size and athleticism were enough to have him rise up on draft boards rather quickly, surpassing stars like Shabazz Napier and Tyler Ennis.

Of course this brings to mind another mid-major star that flourished from day 1 in the NBA, ala Damian Lillard of the Portland Trailblazers, who flew under-the-radar despite posting gawdly numbers at Weber State University.

And while Payton may still be years away from reaching the projected Rajon Rondo like ceiling given to him by several scouts, he’s already shown plenty of promise in the Orlando Summer League in just a few games.

Take his second game with the Magic, finishing with a stat line of 12 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds.

While these numbers may not scream superstar, Payton showed that he’s not only a superb passer but also an impressive rebounder for a guy that’s nearly half a foot shorter than the average big man.

What’s more important though is how he was able to penetrate inside and break down defenses with his slashing ability, scoring all 12 of his points inside the paint.

Now before you go bashing his level of competition, just understand that I’m well aware of the fact that the rigors of the summer league compared to the regular season are almost on an entirely different spectrum.

As of now, Payton still has much to prove before he’s truly considered a sure thing for the Magic.

But with a gaping hole at the starting point guard position and currently no other true floor general on the roster, this kid has a huge opportunity to make noise in his rookie season if he can successfully adapt at the NBA level.

One of the major keys to his prosperity will be whether or not his skilled driving ability will translate to more easy buckets inside and plenty of passing opportunities.

If not, it could be a tough adjustment period where teams will be able to hold him out on the wings, taking away the bread and butter of his offensive arsenal which is mainly inside of the perimeter.

Although other top-tier rookies like Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker and Nerlens Noel are all slated to be frontrunners for this year’s rookie of the year award, Payton is one name that should be on fans’ radars given the huge opportunity he has to flourish.

“I always had a chip on my shoulder coming from a small school, so that just makes it a little bit bigger… I think I’m definitely ready to handle it [NBA], of course there’s going to be some challenges but overall I know I’m ready to do it.”

]]>http://www.hoopsscoop.com/elfrid-payton-darkhorse-candidate-win-rookie-year/feed/0Class of 2015: Ivan Rabb – Player Profilehttp://www.hoopsscoop.com/ivan-rabb/
http://www.hoopsscoop.com/ivan-rabb/#respondTue, 08 Jul 2014 00:35:15 +0000http://www.hoopsscoop.com/?p=1774Ivan Rabb is the No. 1 player in the class of 2015 according to ESPN, leading his team to a CIF Northern California Open Division title and earning the San Francisco Chronicle’s All-Metro Player of the year. Rabb has been heavily recruited by top schools such as UCLA, USC, Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, Georgetown and North Carolina. Checkout his […]

]]>Ivan Rabb is the No. 1 player in the class of 2015 according to ESPN, leading his team to a CIF Northern California Open Division title and earning the San Francisco Chronicle’s All-Metro Player of the year. Rabb has been heavily recruited by top schools such as UCLA, USC, Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, Georgetown and North Carolina. Checkout his full player profile as we cover his biggest strengths and weaknesses.

Extremely gifted athlete that can soar over opponents. Runs the floor exceptionally well for a big man of his size, using his lightning fast speed to finish in transition as well as get to the rim in a hurry. Has good footwork in the post and is beginning to develop a quality back to the basket game, which includes a nice drop step and smooth spin move. Not afraid of contact, constantly banging with bodies in the post and drawing fouls. Can space the floor with his mid-range jumper and has great form when he squares up. Skilled passer for a player of his size, often finding open teammates in the post and can even dish out to the wings once he draws a double team. He’s also a tenacious defender, using his defensive awareness and length to constantly swat shots away in the paint and serve as a lethal rim protector. Truly a monster on the boards as evident by his 16 RPG average, crashing the glass with intensity both on the offensive and defensive end of the floor.

Weaknesses

Lacks the necessary strength to compete with larger interior defenders, but should fill out well over the next few years if he can add some weight. Currently he’s more of a prototypical power forward that bruises inside, so it would be beneficial for him to become more of an adept three point shooter with today’s NBA evolving into more of a stretch four oriented league. Although he’s skilled in the post, he still tends to use his left hand more than his right, which will be exploited by skilled defenders at the next level if he’s unable to use his off-hand proficiently. Also needs to improve his free throw percentage, shooting just 53% last season.